Royal Navy Concession Rate Letters ROYAL NAVY CONCESSION RATE LETTERS 1795 – 1903 Large Gold & Grand Award Collection 1 Royal Navy Concession Rate Letters INTRODUCING GERALD JAMES ELLOTT 2 Royal Navy Concession Rate Letters Gerald James Ellott, MNZM, RDP, FRPSNZ Gerald is one of New Zealand's leading philatelist and postal historian. By profession he is a Chartered Architect having designed schools in England and working for the NZ Ministry of Works and the Education Department since 1955, and has had his own practice in Auckland for over 50 years, specializing in Education Buildings. Gerald started collecting postage stamps at the tender age of seven and has been passionate about the hobby ever since. Involved with organized philately since coming to New Zealand, he served on the Council of the NZ Philatelic Federation for 32 years, and is still active in their Judging Seminars. He has been awarded the NZ Federation Award of Merit and Award of Honour as well as the coveted Award of Philatelic Excellence. In 1980 Gerald was Chairman of the very successful International Stamp Exhibition, “Zeapex '80” held in Auckland and to date the Zeapex Philatelic Trust has distributed over $500,000.00 to the philatelic fraternity in NZ. Currently a life member of the Royal Philatelic Society of NZ and a past President, he has received all their honours including the Centennial Medal, the Rhodes and Collins Awards. Having started his foray into competitive exhibitions, a Silver Bronze medal for 32 sheets of Chalons, at Sipex (Washington) in 1966, a medal which he treasures as one of the most important, he has formed at least four major collections, two of which have both been in the FIP Championship Class, one of which was awarded the Grand Prix National of the NZ 1990 FIP International Exhibition held in Auckland. His collections have included both traditional and postal history, together with thematic and literature, with large gold medals for three of the disciplines, the thematic entry “Philatelic Terms” gained the highest award at London 1970. All exhibits have gained felicitations for Research and in 1984 he was the first recipient of the FIP Research Medal. At National level, Gerald has been awarded no less than four Grand Awards for different collections, the first in 1969 and the last as recently as 2010 at Palmerston North. Gerald tells me that he only gave up exhibiting his Traditional Collection of NZ Chalons when he was advised by an eminent USA Collector and International Judge that he would never be awarded a Large Gold Medal unless he had NZ SG1 to 6, mint, used and on cover plus both the London and Richardson One shilling Bisects. Currently, Gerald is re formatting his “Philatelic Terms” exhibit as the “Fundamentals of Philately” which he proposes to enter in the Traditional discipline. 3 Royal Navy Concession Rate Letters Gerald was invited to sign the World’s pre-eminent award when he was invited to become a signatory of the Roll of Distinguished Philatelist in 1988 and in 2008 was honoured by the Queen when he was made a Member of the Order of Merit (MNZM) for his outstanding services to New Zealand Philately. His unique collection of the Postal History of the Maori Wars (The Heritage Collection) is now housed at Te Papa the NZ National Museum, Wellington. This Collection which I am more than happy to offer to Collectors, was originally started more seriously, followed a small monograph penned by Robson Lowe, entitled “The Seaman’s Penny”. It was initially meant to be a “fun” collection as opposed to the more serious study of New Zealand Routes and Rates pre 1874; however, Gerald tells me that virtually half of his extensive philatelic Library consists of equal numbers of Naval Books. Gerald is the first to acknowledge the help he has received from a number of philatelists around the world. He places Robson Lowe as his mentor, and is mindful of the help given by John White of Sydney, George Branham of the USA, Sir John Marriot, Gerald Sattin, Colin Tabeart and Bob Swarbrick of England, Royce Bowen of Wales and South Africa and in New Zealand both Colin and Ken McNaught, Marcel Stanley, Robin Startup John Bishop, and John Robinson. Unfortunately, many of them have closed their albums. Research has been extensive bearing in mind that unlike normal Postal History, where the point of posting a letter is in most cases easily identified with a postal marking or endorsement, however in the case of letters posted in the Ships Mail Bag, the only Postal Marking invariably is when the letter has reached its destination, or has been sorted en-route. The research in most cases, required an examination of Ship's Logs, Navy Lists and Service Records, so apart from the Postal side, the research in these areas has been far more extensive, fortunately, a lot of research at Kew was carried out by Margaret Frankcom. Little information has been available in New Zealand, and Gerald has spent many hours at the Mitchell Library in Sydney. The quality of the Collection now being offered will be obvious to the fastidious collector and it is opportunity for many more collectors to enjoy having the items in their collections. Gerald acknowledges that we are only the custodians of the treasures for future collectors, and trusts they have as much enjoyment as he has had. With most items being offered there are included extensive research notes of both Postal and Naval matters, personal details of the seamen, officers and photo of details and ship etc. Gerald has offered to carry out further research on any Cover, within his means. 4 Royal Navy Concession Rate Letters ROYAL NAVY CONCESSION RATE LETTERS 1795 - 1903 There was a Base at Gibraltar in 1704, following it’s capture and has been continuously in use since 1721. Malta which had been taken by the French on their way to Egypt in 1798, was retaken by the British in 1800 and since then used as a Base for supplies etc. A Depót operated at Alexandria in1801-1803. 5 Royal Navy Concession Rate Letters Information Details The HOME STATION, LISBON, GIBRALTAR, MALTA & the MEDITERRANEAN STATION including the MIDDLE EAST 1001 c. 1848 – 1854. Illustrated Cover addressed to Mrs. Francis Sullivan, wife of Francis Sullivan, Francis William Sullivan, joined the RN as a Naval Cadet in February 1848 and was promoted to Sub- Lieutenant in August 1854. Letter posted during this period. Sullivan was made a Knight; Sir Francis Sullivan, and was Admiral of the Fleet 5 August 1900. On the rear of the cover is the early SULLIVAN Crest with the Irish motto; “Lamh Foisdineach An Uachter” which translated means “with the gentle hand foremost”. Harmers of London, March 1996- 6 Royal Navy Concession Rate Letters 1002 10 July 1795 Entire Soldiers Concession Rate Letter, the One Penny Concession Rate was established by the Act of 5 May 1795. Countersigned by Jn. Napier, Major General, and 89th Regiment. A very early Soldier’s Concession Rate Letter. Cavendish Auction June 2005 - 1003 25 August 1795 HMS Marlborough, Plymouth Sound. Revolutionary Wars (1793-1802) Entire Seaman’s One Penny Concession Rate Letter from John Robson, Seaman, countersigned by Lieutenant G.I. Decaeurdoux. Manuscript Figure “PD 1” indicating the One Penny Paid. Double Ring PAID Mark, Year in full “1795” (red). Backstamped with the Handstruck PLYMOUTH Horseshoe Handstamp, LONDON 28 August 1795. Believed to be the earliest known Seaman’s Concession Rate Letter, ex Trevor Davis Collection. Private sale, Trevor Davis, June 1996 – ALL LETTERS UNLESS SHOWN OTHERWISE ARE SEAMEN’S ONE PENNY CONCESSION RATE LETTERS 7 Royal Navy Concession Rate Letters 1004 5 February 1797, HMS Piercer, Portsmouth Harbour. Revolutionary Wars (1793-1802). Entire Letter sent by Seaman C. Belcher, Manuscript Figure “PD 1” indicating the One Penny Paid. Countersigned by Lieutenant John Fenton and endorsed with the date of posting “Feb. 6 -97”. Double Ring PAID Mark, Year in full “1797” (red), and the Handstruck PORTSMOUTH Concave Curved Handstamp, LONDON 6 February 1797. The letter to his Father, give a most interesting account of the working of the Purser in that period. He was having a great time as the Purser’s assistant, however it appears to have been short lived, as he only served from 3 February to 8 August1797! David Shaw, February1998 – 1005 8 March 1797, HMS Piercer, Portsmouth Harbour. Revolutionary Wars (1793-1802). Entire Letter sent by Seaman C. Belcher, Manuscript Figure “PD 1” indicating the One Penny Paid. Countersigned by Lieutenant John Fenton and endorsed with the date of posting “March 9 -97”. Double Ring PAID Mark, Year in full “1797” (red), and the Handstruck PORTSMOUTH Concave Curved Handstamp, LONDON 9 March 1797. Richard Bodily, June1996 - 8 Royal Navy Concession Rate Letters 1005B 9 April 1797, HMS Piercer, Portsmouth Harbour. Revolutionary Wars (1793-1802) Entire Letter sent by Seaman C. Belcher, Manuscript Figure “PD 1” indicating the One Penny Paid. Countersigned by Thomas Hudson, Master and endorsed with the date of posting “Ap. 9 -97” Double Ring PAID Mark, Year in full “1797” (red), and the Handstruck PORTSMOUTH Concave Curved Handstamp, LONDON 10 April 1797. Richard Bodily, June 1996 - 1006 19 May 1797, HMS Piercer, Isle of Wight. Revolutionary Wars (1793-1802). Entire Letter sent by Seaman C. Belcher, Manuscript Figure “PD 1” indicating the One Penny Paid. Countersigned by Lieutenant John Fenton and endorsed with the date of posting “May 19 - 97”. Double Ring PAID Mark, Year in full “1797” (red), and the Handstruck “ISLE OF/ WIGHT” in two lines Handstamp, LONDON 19 May 1797. Cavendish, October 2000 - 9 Royal Navy Concession Rate Letters 1007 21 August 1799.